Assessing Clinical Deception and Effort in Pediatric Neuropsychology: What are we actually measuring and how well do we do it

Speaker: Peter Dodzik, PsyD, ABPdN, ABN

3 CEs Available

Level of Activity: Advanced

Abstract:

In the evolving field of pediatric neuropsychology, clinicians face increased demands to actively determine the veracity of their patient's test data. While the broader field of neuropsychology has evolved integrated and stand-alone SVTs and PVTs with known accuracy rates across a number of different conditions, data in pediatrics has been slower in coming. Clinicians are often forced to used tests designed and normed on adults, without information regarding broad applications and often with conflicting information on their clinical utility. In addition, summary texts often provide cut-off scores for SVTs and PVTs divorced from the sample characteristics that allow users to gage their utility in individual cases. This workshop will familiarize users with the available instruments while exploring limitations in their uses across populations. This presentation is appropriate for general clinicians looking to become more informed on the use of SVTs and PVTs in their clinical work as well as limits on applications. Forensic practitioners will benefit from a nuanced discussion of accuracy rates and testing limitations.

Objectives:

1. Identify the strengths and limitations of the most commonly used stand alone and embedded SVTs for children. 
2. Identify the strengths and limitations of the most commonly used stand alone and embedded PVTs for children. 
   
3. Apply combinations of instruments that can be used to evaluate symptom credibility across ages and conditions.

About Dr. Dodzik:

Dr. Dodzik is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist with 25 years of experience in the assessment of children with a variety of neurological and psychological conditions. He has taught courses in forensic neuropsychology, pediatric neuropsychology, child and adolescent assessment and neuroanatomy and neuropathology.

The American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  

AAPdN is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0059. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.